17-year-old with asthma died due to 28-minute ambulance delay from incorrect triage categorization by call-handler.

17-year-old with asthma died after 28-minute delay in ambulance arrival due to incorrect triage categorization by call-handler. Call-handler misinterpreted teen's mother's description of daughter's breathing, leading to delayed dispatch. Ambulance services and staff have made changes since incident; Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner criticized call-handler's decision-making and recommended further improvements.